Joe Herrmann (Hartstown/Jamestown)" hspace="2" src="http://www.thiel.edu/athletics/images/mens-basketball-2007-2008/joe_herrmann_head_2007.jpg" width="75" align="left" vspace="2" border="1" />GREENVILLE, Pa. (Dec. 1) -- The Thiel College men's basketball team got the 2007-08 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) season started with a bang on Saturday as they cruised to an 86-59 victory over Waynesburg University at Beeghly Gymnasium. Senior forward Joe Herrmann (Hartstown/Jamestown) (Hartstown/Jamestown) led three Tomcats in double figures, finishing with a game-high 28 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Freshman guard Devon Adams (Philadelphia, Pa./George Junior Republic) (Philadelphia/George Junior Republic) added a career-best 20 points and eight rebounds and sophomore guard Cory Chaffee (Erie/Villa Maria) chipped in with 13.

Saturday was the third time this season the Tomcats (4-1, 1-0) shot above 50 percent from the floor (29-55, 52.7%). Thiel limited the Yellow Jackets (2-2, 0-1) to 31.0 percent (18-58) shooting, including just 20.8 percent (5-24) from beyond three-point range. Waynesburg entered today's game shooting 31.5 percent in three-point attempts and averaged 11.3 made three-pointers per contest. The Tomcats also finished with a 41-34 edge on the glass.

Dan Happe paced the Yellow Jackets with 19 points and six rebounds. Josh Parisi tallied 15 points and three boards while Tim Drakeley totaled 11 points and four assists.

Thiel, who led by just six (34-28) at the break, stretched its lead to 14 (61-47) midway through the second period. Andy Erjavek's free throws at the 7:19 mark trimmed the Thiel lead to nine (65-56) but the Tomcats responded with an 11-0 run over the next 51 seconds to grab a commanding 76-56 advantage.

Thiel returns to PAC action on Wednesday, Dec. 5 when it travels to Thomas More College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.